The County Government has formed the final two Cross-Border Committees in Kibish and Turkana North sub-counties, bringing the total to six fully operational committees along the Turkana border.
This initiative aims to strengthen community preparedness for zoonotic and priority diseases in Turkana, including pandemics, epidemics, and potential outbreaks along the borders that could undermine human, animal, and environmental safety.
Turkana County borders Ethiopia, Uganda and South Sudan, exposing it to a myriad of potential cross-border outbreaks, including the recent Marburg disease outbreak in neighboring Ethiopia.
Although Ethiopia declared the Marburg virus contained earlier this year, Turkana has not reported any positive cases, thanks to widespread community awareness supported by established community health systems.
The purpose of these multi-stakeholder committees is to foster collaboration, coordination, and synergy to strengthen global health security, protect public health, and safeguard the well-being of cross-border populations.
Speaking during the formations, County One Health Coordinator Kipkorir Rotich said the primary role of the committees is to oversee One Health functions through collaboration, coordination, and communication with agencies across the borders.
“These two committees now join others already established in Loima, Lokichoggio, Turkana West, Lokiriama, and Turkana Central. This will enable us to trace populations and livestock and ensure they receive the necessary health services,” he said.
Committee members were taken through their roles and responsibilities, including surveillance, disease control and response, scope of work, resource mobilization strategies, community engagement, conflict resolution, and monitoring and evaluation to strengthen health systems.
“Under the leadership of the Deputy County Commissioners, these committees comprise 15 members, including administration and security agencies, development partners and community representatives within the respective sub-counties, to enhance preparedness for emergencies,” Rotich added.
Jamal Abdi, who coordinates the International Rescue Committee’s Core Group Partners Project, described the development as an important milestone.
“I am pleased with this progress. We look forward to integrating human, livestock, and environmental health, while engaging partners from the water and wildlife sectors to control disease transmission across borders,” he said.
Turkana North Deputy County Commissioner and Committee Chair George Ochieng said the committee will help the Sub-County oversee health matters and respond promptly to issues affecting cross-border communities and their livestock.
Meanwhile, Kibish Sub-County OCPD Sammy Mufutu Nyongesa noted that the committee’s formation comes at a critical time following the Marburg scare. He added that the Kibish team plans to convene within a month to set its agenda and establish decision-making mechanisms.
By Peter Gitonga
